Little shopping bag

dorcas pennyfather

Aug 18

Sometimes I don't want to carry a large bag with me; just one with the capacity to hold a book, a bottle of water, a note book & pen, my phone and keys. But this one still has enough room if I need to slip something other into it.

As usual my patterns aren't very strict with regards to yarn, needle size , stitch pattern or gauge. I tend to use what I have in my stash, which is usually unlabelled balls of yarn left over from other projects or unravelled ones from unsuccessful knits.

Before you look at the pattern please take a peak at my memory box work. It would also be lovely if you could leave me a comment below. I've taken several hours to make sure my patterns are easy to follow so 5 mins of your time would be so welcome!

Materials

Cotton yarn, either UK 4 ply or DK - U.S.A. sport or DK - Australia 5 ply/4ply or 8 ply Bag 1 took about 120 grms Drops Belle uni colour Bag 2 took 50 grms Paintbox 4ply cotton plus extra for the contrast. Straight needles UK 4mm & 6.5mm - U.S.A 6 & 10/12 or old size 8 & 3 Optional circular needle in the smaller size. Sewing needle to weave in the ends. Scissors to cut yarn.

Size

This will depend on the yarn and stitch you use. The bag will stretch when used

Bag 1: 46 cms or 18" wide x 38 cms or 15" high (From top of handle)

Bag 2: 38 cms or 15" wide x 43 cms or 17" high (From top of handle)

Method

Cast on 24 stitches using the smaller needles and work 5 rows in garter stitch (knit every row)

Row 6: K1, p1, k1 into every stitch - 72 stitches.

Row 7: change to larger needles. Increase 1 stitch and purl 1 row, increase 1 stitch - this is the WS.

Choose your stitch - anything that has an open design.

I use Knittingfool.com as it's a great site for stitch patterns.

For bag 1 the pattern is Garter Faggot Beading Row 1: K1, yo, k2tog until last K1 stitch. Row 2: Purl

For bag 2 the pattern is Trinity Stitch Row 1 (R): Purl Row2 (WS) K1,*(K1, p1, k1) all in the same stitch, p3 tog*

Work for 60 cms or 24 inches. Here you can be creative and make the bag larger if you like.

Change to smaller needles and k3 tog - 24 stitches.

Work 5 rows garter stitch. Cast off but leave last stitch on needle.

At this point you may want to use the circular needle or continue with the two. The advantage of the circular needle is that no sewing is involved and the handles are firmer. . The two needle method means you'll need to sew the end onto the bag.

With RS facing pick up stitches on the long side of the work. Make sure you don't have large gaps between your stitches. At this stage it doesn't matter how many stitches you have on your needle.

Two needles - After you've picked up the stitches cast on 50 stitches for the handles, if you'd like longer handles cast on more. Knit 1 row until 1 stitch before the edge of the picked up stitches along the side of the bag. Move the last cast on stitch to left hand needle then K2 tog. Continue to k2tog along the row of stitches you've picked up. The aim is to finish with about 40 stitches. However, it doesn't matter if you've more or fewer stitches either way. I've had anything from 50 stitches to 30 stitches as it depends on the pattern stitch of the body of the bag. Knit 5 rows garter stitch and cast off. Sew the cast off end of the handle to the bag.

Circular needle - After you've picked up the stitches cast on 50 stitches, if you'd like longer handles cast on more. Be careful not to twist the cast on stitches. Transfer the last cast on stitch back onto the left hand needle when joining the side of the bag then k2tog (the last cast on stitch and the first picked up stitch on the side of the bag). Continue to k2tog along the row of stitches you've picked up. The aim is to finish with about 40 stitches. However, it doesn't matter if you've more or fewer stitches either way. I've had anything from 50 stitches to 30 stitches as it depends on the pattern stitch of the body of the bag. Knit 5 rows garter stitch - (K 1 row. P 1 row) Cast off.

Whichever way you do repeat on the other side.

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